What is the cheapest, easiest way to make a will, and are there any drawbacks?

[peasoup]

Me and Dh have never got around to making wills yet, but I would like us to now. We have a 4 year old son. We have a house though it is only in DH's name. Is it a simple thing to get a will made up that leaves everything to him if I die, and everything to me if he dies, and of course everything to our son if we both die?
How ould we go about doing such a will? Do we need a lawyer or is there one you can fill in online? Or are there major drawbacks to doing it on the cheap?
Also how does arrangements for my son's care get sorted out if me and DH both die? Is that dealt with in the will?
Any advice on how to go about this in the best and most cost effective way very welcome. Thank you

its much better if you get a solicitor to draw up your will and most do deals/discounts for two, eg £100 for one or £160 for the both of them. you know then that the wording is correct. Within the will you would appoint a Guardian to look after your ds (ask the person first) and perhaps another one in case they die before you!.

Another vote for doing it properly at a solicitors. Mine was a £100 fixed fee for just me, but they probably charge a bit more for a married couple. It's water tight and done and dusted now.

Doing it on the cheap would probably be a false economy, don't risk it.

My solicitor was very helpful and happy to explain all the legal jargon to me as we went through it.

Thank you durhamlass are these over the counter ones I've heard you can get not any good then? I guess 160 for two is ok though. I am in London though so bound to be more expensive than anywhere else.
The whole guardian thing for our son is SO hard to even think about

Thanks Meg, I guess it isn't the sort of thing you should skimp on....How the hell do you decide who to appoint as guardian? And do you need an executor? What is an executor?

In general you get what you pay for.

Have said it many times on here but DH can make more moeny from sorting out poorly drawn up DIY wills and will-writer company type wills, than he ever does from writing a bespoke will in the first place.

My advice - go to see a solicitor who specialises in this agre of law and have one drawn up properly. Yes, you will pay for it - although again prices vary - but at least you are minimising the risk that your loved ones will have to sort out the mess (and cost) of a bad DIY type will.

For an example of cost, DH charges £175+VAT for a couple's will - i.e. two wills.

Also, bear in mind that you can reduce your cost by having the will done outside of central London. Wills don't have to be done face to face, especially when straight forward.

Best thing to do is go with a good recommendation rather than location.

Go and see a solicitor and also ask about having the house transferred into both of your names.

Imagine if DH died, you would not want the chaos, stress and cost of sorting out a poorly drafted Will and transfering a house to your name - possibly with relatives attempting to challenge the Will.

I normally charge £175 for a single, £240 for a couple, and have just started up a freelance business charging roughly half that rate.

It is worth getting it done professionally. Although London firms do charge a lot more, you could get the charges down by using a regional firm.

So far as guardians are concerned, the golden rules are to ask them first(surprising how often this doesn't happen!) and ensure that you appoint separate executors from the guardians so as to avoid any potential conflict of interest.